PITTSBURGH —It was a head-scratcher to most, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin included.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry sent veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the intrastate and AFC North division rival Cincinnati Bengals last week, giving Zac Taylor new life at the signal-caller position.
"To be honest, it was shocking to me," Tomlin said Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us. Because it doesn't make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent that's hurting in that area. But that's just my personal feelings."
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin curing a game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers visit the Bengals on Thursday night after beating the Browns 23-9 on Sunday.
Flacco went 29 for 45 for 219 yards and two touchdowns during the Bengals' 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He was almost instantly handed the starting job to replace Jake Browning , whose play after Joe Burrow 's turf toe injury was uninspiring. Rather than punt on the season with stars such as Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson still on the field, Cincinnati director of player personnel Duke Tobin made the move.
"It certainly made sense from Cincinnati's perspective," Tomlin said. "He can throw the football, and he's always been able to throw the football. Arm strength, arm accuracy, anticipatory passer, fluid movement through progressions, that's always been his game."
In total, Flacco has passed for 206.8 yards per game this season. He's playing his 18th season as a pro and also previously had stops with the Baltimore Ravens , Denver Broncos , New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts .
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Mike Tomlin Rips Browns for Joe Flacco Trade
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